During February 2015 a new policy was launched. The policy, entitled A WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH TO A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE: HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY POLICY, aims at promoting a whole school approach to a more healthy lifestyle among all the attending students.

The time allotted for physical education (PE) in primary schools has been increased to, at least, 90 minutes weekly - 45 minutes being taken by the PE Peripatetic Teacher while the rest will be taken by the class teacher.

Exposure to unhealthy food items, such as those high in fat, sugar and salt, exposes our students to unhealthy patterns, so the policy suggests that the presence of such items in schools is not permitted.

Lastly, the responsibility of a healthy and physically active lifestyle should be equally shared by the school and the family because it would be futile to promote healthy eating and physical activity at school and then the children go home and find a diametrically opposite culture.

Nutrition has a dramatic effect on our well-being; on our strength in thinking clearly and stay focused. The initiative of the School Council to create a healthy pizza was to pass on the message that eating healthy can be fun. Eating healthy can be a way of living. It is a choice we all can make when we understand the importance of food. Choosing real food as opposed to processed, chemical based and artificial food. Real food is full of nutrients. It supports development in all directions.

The Nutritional value of the pizza served on Friday 5th February - CARNIVAL DAYWheat:Wheat has been cultivated and consumed for centuries. It was a staple of life for men and women living in Biblical times and is part of many ancient cultures. How could wheat be bad for us?It is helpful to know just how much wheat has changed over the centuries, and especially since the beginning of the 1950s. Wheat is a grain. Cultivating grain has always involved a process of breeding and creating hybrids in order to produce the best yield, but in the latter part of the twentieth century this process has become very industrialized. Modern wheat has undergone great changes.1. Modern wheat has more gluten proteins. Many of these brand new gluten proteins are associated with today’s gluten sensitivities, such as celiac disease. 2. Modern wheat is lower in mineral content. Modern wheat has shorter stalks, less sun, and shallower roots systems; because of this it is deficient in many vitamins and minerals like zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, and selenium than its ancient ancestor.3. Modern wheat is a mutation caused by radiation. In order to help crops become more resistant to disease, they are exposed to high doses of gamma and microwave radiation. This changes the molecular structure of the crop, doctors are concerned that this is creating carcinogens and toxic chemicals, and causing infertility, kidney damage, and changes the nutritional value of food. Some doctors and scientists have petitioned the government to halt food irradiation.4. Modern wheat is grown with harmful pesticides.5. Modern wheat can no longer survive in the wild.Ref: http://www.intoxicatedonlife.com/2013/11/07/5-ways-modern-wheat-different-biblical-wheat

Grated Green Marrows: Marrow is particularly important because it provides a high level of nutrients. It is a significant source of vitamin A, vitamin C, dietary fiber, calcium, and iron. Like many other varieties of squash, marrow supplies a high level of dietary fiber, which is one of the most essential elements of human health. Dietary fiber can guarantee the proper movement of food through the digestive tract and eliminate problems like constipation, bloating, excess gas, and other more serious gastrointestinal issues.https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/marrow.html

Melted Cheese: Pecorino cheese with rucola has approximately 8% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin A and 25% of your RDA of calcium. All cheeses, including pecorino, contain vitamins B2, niacin, B12 and D, plus minerals such as zinc and phosphorus. A study carried out by Professor Sebastiano Banni and colleagues conducted in Sardinia, Italy (2003 to 2009 at the Universities of Sassari and Cagliari) found that pecorino cheese contains higher amounts of conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, than other cheeses. CLA is an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid that has been studied for its ability to fight cancer and help prevent coronary artery disease, diabetes and obesity. The study showed that human subjects fed approximately 3oz. daily of pecorino cheese enriched with CLA for three weeks decreased their plasma LDL cholesterol levels as well as reducing their body mass index.Like with all foods, always eat in a balanced way. http://www.livestrong.com/article/333400-pecorino-cheese-nutrition/

Why no cocktail sausages were served on the pizza?Anything that has a long shelf life is looked at as dead food. It has been processed and refined and barely has any nutrient content . We invite you to look at the following ingredients:Hot Dog sausages are made of 53% Mechanically separated Chicken; Water; 13% Pork Collagen; Beef Collagen; Salt; Pork fat; Wheat Flour; Smoke flavor; Stabilizers (E451 (i), E412), Celery, Garlic powder; Preservative (E250), Brine water. Is this really food that your body can thrive on?

DID YOU KNOW THAT:

Eating the right food and the right combination of food CAN reduce YOUR STRESS levels quite significantly!

A spoon of Tahini (sesame paste locally found in jars) is equivalent in CALCIUM to drinking a carton of milk!

Thanks and appreciation go to the people who supported this school in initiative: the hard-working School Councillors, Ramon Aguis of Winebar 1640 and Malcom Mintoff of GS Superstore at Naxxar who all, have at heart the future well-being of our children.

Tips on how to prepare Healthy Lunchbox:Children need a wide variety of foods to help them grow up strong, learn and play. A healthy lunchbox is an important part of the school day. The following are some suggestions to help you pack a healthy and balanced lunchbox for your young children:

Wholemeal bread with sliced cheese and tomato + a banana + still water.

* The use of chicken for school lunches should only be used during the cold season.

Drinks:About 66% of our body is made of water. Thus, it important that children take enough fluids during the day, especially during the hot season (June to September). If they do not drink enough water, children easily get thirsty, weak and tired, apart from the risk of becoming dehydrated. It is extremely important that children are encouraged to drink still water with meals. Thus, is is imperative to include a small bottle of still water to be used during the second break and at other times of the school day. During the first break, children may have a small cup (200 ml) of free white milk.